Hello. interesting new sounds, interesting look.
First, tell me about the music - I hear lots of fun references - 80’s electro pop, europop, new era electro.
Nic Linn, “We are too young to really remember living in the 80s but I nicked most of my brother’s record collection when he went to university and the songs and style from the likes of Japan and Depeche Mode made a lasting impression on me.”
How did the band establish its sound in London considering the last few years have seen the Guitar back – what made you decide that synths were the way to progress The Modern sound?
Chi Tudor-Hart, “A lot of these guitar bands take their references from past nu-wave bands like XTC and Joy Division which exhibit prominent guitar as we do.”
Emma Cooke, “Synths give us that disco feel we love.”
Great to hear Casio beats again (‘Suburban culture’), do you have a large collection of old classic analogue synths for that genuine 80’s vibe, or is the backing track all Protool soft-synths and samples?
Robert James, “It is sometimes hard to drag Nic from his cell which is wall to wall with old synths such as SH101, Juno 60 and at the hub of the studio, Chi’s Casio PT80.”
Where did you get the urge to become “the antidote to pub-rock” as has been quoted?
Emma Cooke, “Well if you pay to see a show you should be getting just that, not jean and beige t-shirt wearing ranters with sweat stains.”
Nic Linn, “Pub are for drinking in and rocks are for throwing.”
What’s with the Blakes Seven-style stage show that I’ve read about – could you please explain a little more - as it’s surely one of the worst TV shows ever?
Bob Malkowski, “Blake Seven epitomises retro-futurism, the past dream of a utopian future that we visually tried to recreate.”
From the songs I’ve heard I caught Gary Numan melodic lifts for ‘The Disco’, Duran Duran bass lines in ‘Tokyo’ and Visage gets dropped in – intentional cultural reference points?
Nic Linn, “These bands have influenced all British music.”
Chi Tudor-Hart, “RnB and Hip Hop had no relevance to my life growing up. No matter what Dizzie Rascal says there are no ghettos in Deptford so we had to look else where for influences, not America.”
Do you mind the fact that you will get tagged with the term ‘electroclash’ as this is going through the usual critical backlash now?
Emma Cooke, “If ‘Electroclash’ is defined as glamour, synthetic and sexy then tag away!”
With the massive success of Scissor Sisters in 2004 - was there ever a thought of ‘Damn – they beat us to it!’, or, are you taking up their challenge and spearheading a campaign for more glamorous pop stars in 2005?
Robert James, “I think we embrace anything that is the antithesis of pub rock.”
Bob Malkowski, “People need glamour in their lives, I know, I worked in a meat factory packing pies once.”
I suspect the accusation of “Style over substance” will be forthcoming – discuss..
Chi Tudor-Hart, “Well you obviously have not seen us play. Our songs stand on their own.”
In the next 12 months time what do you hope to have achieved?
Nic Linn, “We hope our merchandise dolls, who look nothing like us, are featured on Watchdog as their heads fall off revealing a dirty sharp spike which could be a potential Death trap.”
If you had the chance, who would be your perfect choice for producing the album?
Emma Cooke, “Our producer Nic Zart is the sixth member of The Modern.”
And why?
Emma Cooke, “He shares The Moderns vision.”
Nic Linn, “And he wears a boiler suit and lives in a geodesic dome.”
Finally – Slipknot get linked from your website! I understand the other linked spots but not that one – what gives? Is there a darker side to the sunshine pop that the band has produced so far?
Chi Tudor-Hart, “They understand about putting on a show.”
Thanks.
for more info on the modern check their flashy website
Mark e/ireallylovemusic